.jpg)
Biomedical Research (Molecular Basis of Human Disease)
Train for a career in biomedical research and specialise in molecular mechanisms and structural biology.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Course overview
Build multidisciplinary skills in biomedical research on this Master's course, specialising in molecular mechanisms and structural biology.
You'll explore fundamental disease mechanisms and the scientific methodology used to unravel these mechanisms.
Broad training is provided in a range of biomedical research areas. These include structural molecular biology, biochemistry and biophysics, cell biology and clinical/pharmaceutical applications.
You'll build transferable skills through a programme of grant writing, technical workshops and journal clubs. You'll also investigate disease pathways and potential therapeutic interventions on pressing human diseases.
Two extensive research projects provide an opportunity to apply your expertise to areas of interest within this specialism.
Choose your stream
You have the option of choosing our general biomedical research stream, or one of six specialisms. All of our biomedical research streams have the same course structure and each stream has its own tailored set of projects alongside a core programme of lectures, seminars and practical classes.
You should consider which stream is right for you according to your career aims and background. If an offer of admission is made, it will correspond to a specific stream. Switching streams is not possible once you have commenced your studies.
- General Biomedical Research
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infection
- Data Science
- Epidemiology, Evolution and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Microbiome in Health and Disease
- Molecular Basis of Human Disease (this stream)
- Respiratory and Cardiovascular Science
Is this stream for you?
This stream is for students with a biomedical background interested in understanding fundamental mechanisms behind disease processes, and those with a biochemical, bioengineering or biophysical background interested in pursuing further education in a medically relevant area.
This stream is delivered by the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction in collaboration with the Department of Infectious Disease.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Compose a grant proposal, appropriate for submission to an academic funding body.
This will correspond to your research project(s).
You'll carry out two mini research projects, exploring some of the most technologically advanced approaches currently being applied to biomedical research.
You have a wide range of research projects available to you.
The projects available to you are determined by your chosen stream.
You can also choose projects from other streams, though you will only have priority within your own stream.
Example projects
- How does proteostasis restrict toxic protein aggregates from damaging the cell?
- The role of Mannose-6-phosphate receptor (M6PR) in human pancreatic β-cells
- Investigating the role of CD63 in human adipose stem cells
- How the bacterial type II secretion system powers toxin release
- The Tight adherence molecular machine builds pili and drives bacterial pathogenesis
- Novel neuromodulators from the gut microbiome
- Biosensor screening using a bacterial synthetic memory circuit
- Spatial biosensor development for the inflammatory biomarker sialic acid
- Using wildDISCO to characterise disruption of sleep-wake cycles in Alzheimer's disease
- Investigating the impact of genomic diversity on cell wall chemistry in Aspergillus fumigatus
See a full list of example Biomedical research projects on the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction web pages.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
-
Demonstrations and seminars
-
Workshops
-
Computing labs
-
Journal clubs
-
Virtual learning environment
-
Tutorials
-
Lab-based learning
-
Facility Tours
-
Lectures
-
Debates
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Grant writing exercise
- Research projects
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 90% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Laboratory-based research
-
Computer-based research
-
Oral presentation
-
Poster presentation
-
Research reports
-
Oral assessment
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
In our application system My 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, you will need to choose Biomedical Research (MRes 1YFT) in the Programme selection search. After this, you will be asked to choose the stream you wish to be considered for.
The Department's Biomedical Research Admissions FAQ provides more details about applying for the course.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee (Biomedical Research streams)
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £21,600
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
We offer a range of scholarships for students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for on our dedicated Scholarships search tool.
Overseas fee (Biomedical Research streams)
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £47,300
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø help my career?
Graduates of our faculty of medicine courses go on to succeed in a wide range of sectors. These include healthcare, pharamceuticals, government, charities and NGOs, consultancy, technology, research and development, education.
Who do our graduates work for?
Our faculty of medicine graduates have worked for companies including Cancer Research, NHS, Department of Health and Social Care, Costello Medical, Medpace, Sanofi, AstraZenica, Oxford Genetics, Wellcome Stranger Institute.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Data analyst, Policy advisor, Trainee Patent Attorney, Project Manager, Medical Affairs Writer, Associate Scientist, Regulatory advisor, Healthcare Consultant.
What about further study?
PhD at leading institutions worldwide.
What careers support does 51³Ô¹ÏÍø offer?
Our Careers Service can support you as you consider your next steps. You can access one-to-one guidance, workshops, employer events and online resources to help you explore your options and plan your career.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: biomedical.researchmres@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Tim Ebbels
Course Deputy Director: Dr Elizabeth Want
Stream Organiser: , and
Visit the Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction website.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/17_314-51³Ô¹ÏÍø-NHS-StM-Ham-210.jpg)
Our students
Meet Biomedical Research students and see what they have to say about their studies.
You can also read more about our student achievements, including funding, publications and academic prizes.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/course-pages/postgraduate/medicine---metabolism-digestion-and-reproduction/Applied-Genomics.jpg)
Register your interest
Stay up to date on news, events, scholarship opportunities and information related to this course.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/Newsletter.jpg)
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/UG---Events.jpg)
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications